UMBC Pastor

Upper Merion Baptist Church

Our Staff

Brian Henderson has been pastor of Upper Merion Baptist Church since 1999. Brian is a graduate of Eastern College and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Brian and his wife Tara have two daughters, Ana Grace and Naomi Claire. Brian loves serving the Lord and our UMBC family. Brian and Tara are currently enrolled in a Doctor of Ministry program in Marriage & Family at Palmer Theological Seminary. They anticipate graduating in the spring of 2009.

Thelma Brinson has been the Office Administrator at UMBC since January 2002 and she and her husband Al have been members of the church for 25 years. Previously, Thelma spent 20 years in the corporate world as a Facilities and Events Manager. She and her husband both love working on their computers, their grandchildren, and visiting nursing homes with their dog, as well as traveling.

David Maness has been Minister of Music at UMBC for 35 years. He holds the Bachelor of Music degree from Oklahoma Baptist University, the Master of Church Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the Master of Music from Temple University. He is Associate Professor of Music at Eastern University where he teaches voice, music theory, choral conducting, and music appreciation. He and his wife Sandy have three grown children; Kevin, Greg, and Kristina.

Yana J. Pagán has been a member of Upper Merion Baptist Church since September 2005. Yana began as Associate Pastor of UMBC on a part-time basis in October 2007. Yana and her husband Angel are originally from Bronx, NY. Yana is a graduate of Eastern University and the Palmer Theological Seminary. She also works at the Hospice of Philadelphia which is a division of the Visiting Nurses Association. Yana is passionate to do God's work here on earth and believes such work begins with one person at a time.

Kevin Padworski has been organist at Upper Merion since June of 2006. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education at Eastern University. Kevin began piano studies at the age of 7 and picked up his primary instrument, saxophone, when he was 9. He has happily been an organist since he was 13, and loves playing for the glory of God. Aside from music, Kevin enjoys sports and is an avid volleyball and soccer player.

Jessi Ruhf has been the accompanist for UMBC since the fall of 2005. She also participates with the Praise Team. Jessi is a recent graduate of Easter University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and is a Music Teacher in the Philadelphia School District.

Liesel Schuchart has been the Praise Team Coordinator since 2003. She is originally from Reading, PA. She recently graduated from Eastern University with a degree in Music Education. Liesel plays the clarinet and saxophone and also enjoys composing and arranging music.

Darlene Youngdahl has been with the Nursery School for the past 28 years. She has taught the 2 day class (3 year olds) for 27 years and has been the Director for 19 years. It has been her mission to see children learn in a group situation through fun as well as structure. She and her husband John live in King of Prussia.

Pattie Hentz has been attending UMBC for two years and began working as custodian in the spring of 2006. In addition to her work at UMBC, she is a very active mother and grandmother. Pattie and her family are long time members of the Upper Merion community. Pattie takes great care of God’s creation—especially God’s animals.

	Brian Henderson has been pastor of Upper Merion Baptist Church since 1999. Brian is a graduate of Eastern College and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Brian and his wife Tara have two daughters, Ana Grace and Naomi Claire. Brian loves serving the Lord and our UMBC family. Brian and Tara are currently enrolled in a Doctor of Ministry program in Marriage & Family at Palmer Theological Seminary. They anticipate graduating in the spring of 2009.
	Thelma Brinson has been the Office Administrator at UMBC since January 2002 and she and her husband Al have been members of the church for 25 years. Previously, Thelma spent 20 years in the corporate world as a Facilities and Events Manager. She and her husband both love working on their computers, their grandchildren, and visiting nursing homes with their dog, as well as traveling.
	David Maness has been Minister of Music at UMBC for 35 years. He holds the Bachelor of Music degree from Oklahoma Baptist University, the Master of Church Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the Master of Music from Temple University. He is Associate Professor of Music at Eastern University where he teaches voice, music theory, choral conducting, and music appreciation. He and his wife Sandy have three grown children; Kevin, Greg, and Kristina.
	Yana J. Pagán has been a member of Upper Merion Baptist Church since September 2005. Yana began as Associate Pastor of UMBC on a part-time basis in October 2007. Yana and her husband Angel are originally from Bronx, NY. Yana is a graduate of Eastern University and the Palmer Theological Seminary. She also works at the Hospice of Philadelphia which is a division of the Visiting Nurses Association. Yana is passionate to do God's work here on earth and believes such work begins with one person at a time.
	Kevin Padworski has been organist at Upper Merion since June of 2006. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education at Eastern University. Kevin began piano studies at the age of 7 and picked up his primary instrument, saxophone, when he was 9. He has happily been an organist since he was 13, and loves playing for the glory of God. Aside from music, Kevin enjoys sports and is an avid volleyball and soccer player.
	Jessi Ruhf has been the accompanist for UMBC since the fall of 2005. She also participates with the Praise Team. Jessi is a recent graduate of Easter University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and is a Music Teacher in the Philadelphia School District.
	Liesel Schuchart has been the Praise Team Coordinator since 2003. She is originally from Reading, PA. She recently graduated from Eastern University with a degree in Music Education. Liesel plays the clarinet and saxophone and also enjoys composing and arranging music.
	Darlene Youngdahl has been with the Nursery School for the past 28 years. She has taught the 2 day class (3 year olds) for 27 years and has been the Director for 19 years. It has been her mission to see children learn in a group situation through fun as well as structure. She and her husband John live in King of Prussia.
	Pattie Hentz has been attending UMBC for two years and began working as custodian in the spring of 2006. In addition to her work at UMBC, she is a very active mother and grandmother. Pattie and her family are long time members of the Upper Merion community. Pattie takes great care of God’s creation—especially God’s animals.